Local News

Still attempting to sort out the details of Dr. Michael Martin, former director of schools, and his right hand, Karen Bundren, board members met in special session on Tuesday evening to discuss their next move.

Though only two items made up the evening’s agenda board attorney Dail Cantrell explained there were many things to consider when making a decision on granting retirement to the embattled former employees as well as beginning the search for Martin’s replacement.

Those looking for bags of candy or just a fun night out can find it around town on Saturday.

Every municipality has changed trick or treat times to Saturday, since Halloween falls on a Sunday. Making the evening more convenient for locals, all trick or treating will be held on the same day as many church and city events.

Halloween will be celebrated on the streets of Caryville, Jellico and Jacksboro from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday. Campbell County and LaFollette neighborhoods will have trick or treating at the same time.

Before a man wanted in Colorado, North Carolina and Nebraska can be returned there, he has to spend some time in the Campbell County jail.

Hiep Xuan Le was sentenced to 90 days by Criminal Court Judge Shayne Sexton for failing to register as a sex offender. At the Monday hearing, Le, through an interpreter, agreed he had failed to register after moving to Tennessee in June 2008.

The last meeting for the Jellico Board of Mayor and Aldermen before the election was partially attended. With only two aldermen absent, the town board conducted business.

Mayor Forster Baird provided an update on the Taylor Machine Building. A lease agreement has been signed, said Baird. Though state permits have not been issued the board was in agreement about moving forward.

Aldermen Alvin Evans said an additional acre of land in the Jellico Industrial Park would be purchased for $10,000 pending the approval of permits.

Local history was brought to life last Thursday. Gathering in the Douglas Cemetery in LaFollette, a large audience learned about the people who made LaFollette great.

Civil War reenactors told their stories, intermingling descriptions of the city when it was known as Big Creek Gap.

Dressed in Union Army garb, Mike Sanders told the story of Thomas Rutherford who escaped from the Rebels in 1862 only to die in battle two years later. Sanders raised his voice above a passing train as he explained the dangerous process of loading black powder into his musket.